Senate Bill Aims To Expand Liability For Oil Spills

Law360, New York (September 29, 2010, 5:40 PM EDT) -- Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse, D-R.I., introduced a bill Wednesday that would allow oil spill victims to seek damages from all parties involved in a spill and prevent defendants from removing related state court actions to federal court.

The measure, S.3862, would amend language in the Oil Pollution Act of 1990 to hold “other parties” liable for claims arising out of oil spills, clarifying that it's not just statutorily defined “responsible parties” that are on the hook for damages.